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Category Archives: Flooded Basement

Introducing Tiger Home Awareness Solutions

Did I forget to shut the garage door? Was my package delivered? Is my home secure? Homeownership comes with all kinds of questions, concerns and responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were a little easier? Be aware with a smart home from Tiger Home Awareness.

Tiger Home Awareness and Automation Solutions will take away many of the worries that come with owning your home. Imagine how much easier it would be to control lights and lock doors with an app on your phone? Or the peace of mind that would accompany the ability to keep an eye on children, elderly relatives or pets when you are not home. How much more secure would your home be if you could monitor and even interact with people who visit your home with a two-way camera?

Be In Control Anywhere, Anytime

First, you will have control of your home’s automation through an app that you can easily install on your Smartphone.

Next, conveniently located cameras and sensors will allow you to monitor suspicious activity on your property and the coming and goings of visitors.

Furthermore, you can customize alerts that are sent to your phone, which makes it easier to stay up to date on the happenings in your home.

And, easily keep an eye on children or elderly relatives while you are away from home.

Water damage can spell disaster for any homeowner. Clean up and repairs can be expensive and time consuming. The best strategy is to take preventative measures and protect your home from water damage.

Take a peek at these helpful tips to reduce your risk of water damage in your home:

1. Inspect your basement:

Take some time to head down to your basement and have a look around. Check out your walls for any cracks where water may seep in and have them repaired right away.

While you are looking around for cracks, check for signs of existing water damage. See if you notice any leaks or water stains on the walls or floor. You will want to have this damage and its source fixed as soon as possible in order to avoid more costly repairs down the road.

2. Do not over work your water heater:

Traditional water heaters are equipped with large storage tanks. These tanks hold gallons and gallons of water, meaning even a small leak can cause a huge mess in your home. If you are still using a tanked water heater be sure to have a member of our plumbing team out to your home yearly, to inspect your system for signs of damage.

It is also recommended that you replace your water heater every 10 years or so. Since traditional water heaters only have a life expectancy of around 10 to 13 years.

3. Look up:

A leaky roof is a major cause for concern, especially when it comes to your risk of water damage. Be on the lookout for signs of damage to your roof. Loose, curling or worn out shingles are great early warning signs that your home may be at risk.

Additionally, look for cracks or signs of leaking on your ceiling. Even a small leak can lead to some major water damage to your home.

4. Do not ignore your plumbing systems:

All too often plumbing systems get the out of sight, out of mind treatment. However, it is vital to stay up to date with plumbing maintenance. Over time, plumbing fixtures weaken or wear out, which can lead to leaks. Have your plumbing systems inspected annually to avoid unpleasant surprises and periodically check underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs of leakage.

You will also want to ensure that you have water pans under your appliances that may leak; water heaters, washing machines, air conditioners, etc.

5. Prevent basement flooding:

Life in the Midwest means wild and often unpredictable weather and heavy rainfall is common during the spring and summer months. Large amounts of rainfall can often led to basement flooding, especially if your sump pump cannot keep up. Making yearly maintenance and system checks crucial in your battle against water damage. A simple test you can perform to check the function of your sump pump is to pour five gallons of water in your sump hole. Call us right away if you notice any signs that your sump pump is not functioning properly.

You may also consider having a backup battery added to your sump pump. Having a backup battery system will help ensure that your sump pump keeps working, even if a strong storm knocks out the power.

6. Perform simple maintenance tasks:

Make sure that your plumbing fixtures are properly caulked and sealed. Caulking is a simple task that you can perform periodically to help prevent leaks and water damage.

Do not forget to inspect and caulk around your windows as well. Improperly sealed windows will allow water and moisture to seep in and damage your home.

7. Remember, water damage is not only an inside problem

The foundation and exterior of your home can also be at risk for water damage. Keep your gutters cleaned and make sure that your downspouts are always flowing away from your home’s foundation. Make sure any exterior drains on your property are clear from debris.

When landscaping, make sure that any top soil next to your home slopes down and away. Keep all shrubbery at least 18 inches away from your home. These steps will help keep water from damaging your homes foundation.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

April Showers Brings May Flowers is a cute saying; however, April Showers can also do a lot of damage, especially to your basement. As you know, a flooded basement is a nightmare for homeowners. All of that flood damage is a mess to clean up and expensive to repair, plus a wet basement leads to mold in your home. And if your basement is prone to flooding, you’re probably not looking forward to April Showers season. The good news is that there are several preventative measures you can take to help protect your home and your bank account from a flooded basement this April.

-If this April is anything like what we’re used to, then we can expect heavy and frequent rains that will compromise your sump pump. Sump pumps are designed to help prevent basement flooding. The protection they offer is especially important in finished basements containing recreation rooms, offices and bedrooms. As the water table rises and falls through the seasons, the pump collects excess water and moves it away from your home’s foundation, preventing flooding or other damage. Sump pump failure is one of the main causes of basement flooding but the good news is that it is easily avoidable. A typical sump pump has a lifespan of nearly five to seven years, but as you know, appliances and vital equipment have the tendency to fail when we need them most. That is why it is extremely important to check your sump pump operations regularly. You do this by removing the cover and slowly pouring water into the sump tank. Watch for the “float” to rise and trigger the pump. Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump. This is what is called a normal sump cycle and it is how you know your sump pump is functioning properly.

If your pump does not cycle properly or you’re just not sure if your sump pump is up to the numerous April Showers ahead, contact us and we’ll gladly send one of our expert plumbers to your home to make sure your sump pump is up to the challenge of a rainy spring.

-Keep the power on. Keep in mind that your sump pump only works when the power is on. If you tend to experience frequent power outages during strong storms, it might be a good idea to have a backup generator installed or invest in a battery-powered backup sump pump, just in case.

– Make sure your foundation does not fail you. Take some time and inspect the interior walls of your basement and your exterior foundation for cracks or damage that water could seep through. If you find any cracks, they need to be repaired as soon as possible.

– Do a gutter check. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and other debris and making sure your downspouts are properly positioned, will help protect your home’s foundation from water damage. You want to ensure that your downspouts are draining water at least three feet away from your home. If your gutters are over flowing or your downspouts are not position correctly, the excess rain water will collect around your home’s foundation, causing it to erode and water will get into your basement.

– Have your sewer lines inspected and cleared if needed. Clogged and neglected sewer lines can lead to a flooded disaster during heavy rains. Our experienced team has the latest hydro-jet cleaning and camera inspection equipment. We can expertly clean your sewer lines from tree roots and debris that can clog your sewer lines before you have a major issue on your hands. Schedule your sewer line inspection appointment today and rest easy knowing that April Showers are no match for your newly cleared sewer lines.

– Invest in window well covers. If you have windows around the foundation of your home, meant to allow natural light into your basement, installing window well covers will go a long way in the fight against basement flooding. You can get clear acrylic covers, so your home is still protected from flooding and the sunlight will still be able to reach your basement. As a bonus, window well covers will also help keep pests and other debris out of your basement.

If you take these preventative measures, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the April Showers this season and dream of all of the beautiful flowers you’ll see this May!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at: